When is the Missoula to San Francisco route most turbulent?

Check the monthly chart for exact patterns. Transatlantic and mountain routes are typically roughest in winter (Dec–Mar). Tropical routes peak during monsoon season.

MSO to SFO Turbulence Forecast

Q: Is the Missoula to San Francisco flight turbulent?

The MSO–SFO route typically experiences severe turbulence.

Q: Which seat is smoothest on MSO to SFO?

Wing seats are smoothest. On a Airbus A320 · Boeing 737, that's rows 10–20. Avoid the rear of the aircraft.

Q: How long is the flight from MSO to SFO?

The MSO to SFO flight takes approximately 2h 10m, covering 769 miles at 33,000 feet.

Is the Missoula to San Francisco flight turbulent? Live forecast & historical patterns.

Live forecast

MSO

→

SFO

Missoula · San Francisco · 2h 10m

69.3

Turb Score

2h 10m

Duration

668 nm

Distance

33,000 ft

Cruise Alt.

Severe

Typical

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Typical turbulence along the route

Historical average pattern for MSO–SFO

0h1h2h3h4h5h6h2h 10m

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Heavy

About the MSO–SFO route

The Missoula to San Francisco route crosses the Rocky Mountains — one of the most turbulent regions in North America. Mountain wave turbulence occurs when strong winds blow over mountain peaks, creating powerful invisible waves that extend to cruise altitude. The worst turbulence typically occurs in the first 30–60 minutes when the aircraft is climbing over the range.

The route is served by United, American Airlines, Delta on Airbus A320 · Boeing 737 aircraft, with flights typically cruising at 33,000 feet over a distance of 769 miles (668 nautical miles).

💡 Tip: Mountain wave turbulence hits early. If flying over Rockies, expect the first hour to be bumpy.

Missoula to San Francisco Flight Time

How long is the flight from MSO to SFO?

2h 10m

Flight Time

769 mi

Distance

33,000 ft

Cruising Altitude

Airbus A320

Aircraft

The Missoula (MSO) to San Francisco (SFO) flight takes approximately 2h 10m, covering 769 miles (668 nautical miles) at 33,000 feet. The route is operated by United, American Airlines, Delta. Actual flight time may vary by 10–20 minutes depending on wind conditions and routing.

Turbulence levels on MSO–SFO

What to expect at each phase of the flight

SmoothDeparture & arrival — climb and descent phases are generally calm

LightMinor bumps — drink stays in your cup, walking feels slightly unsteady

ModerateNoticeable bumps — stay seated with seatbelt on, service may pause

HeavyStrong jolts — unsecured items move, crew seated. Rare but possible

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Best time to fly MSO–SFO

Turbulence by month

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Rough

Best seat on MSO–SFO

Airbus A320

Front

Rows 1–9

Light

✓ Wing

Rows 10–20

Smoothest

Rear

Rows 21+

Rougher

Wing seats are over the center of gravity — least affected by turbulence.

What you'll see in the app

Full forecast, live map & seat recommendations

Similar routes

Other popular routes with turbulence data

MSO → LAX

Missoula → Los Angeles

See all mountain routes →

Related guides

Learn more about flight turbulence

Turbulence Tracker

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Best Seat Guide

Which rows feel turbulence least

→

Mountain Turbulence

Why mountain routes are the bumpiest

→

Severe Turbulence

What it feels like and how to prepare

→

Is Turbulence Dangerous?

What the safety data shows

→

Passenger Reports

Kids barely noticed the turbulence — just some mild bumps over the mountains. Seatbelt sign was on and off a couple times. Nothing dramatic.

Parent traveling with kids · May

Some light chop crossing the Rockies — seatbelt sign came on for maybe 20 minutes but nothing to worry about. Typical for this route in June.

Regular traveler · June

Flew Missoula–San Francisco in April, had some light turbulence in the middle portion of the flight. Brief and nothing concerning. This route is usually fine.

Business traveler · April

All MSO routes→ All SFO routes→

Frequently asked questions

Is the Missoula to San Francisco flight turbulent?

The MSO–SFO route typically experiences severe turbulence. The turbulence score for this route is 69.3/100.

When is turbulence worst on MSO to SFO?

Mountain wave turbulence hits early. If flying over Rockies, expect the first hour to be bumpy. Check the turbulence chart above for the typical pattern along this specific route.

Which seat is smoothest on MSO to SFO?

Wing seats are always the smoothest. On a Airbus A320 (the most common aircraft on this route), that's rows 10–20. Avoid the very rear of the aircraft — it amplifies turbulence motion.

How long is the flight from MSO to SFO?

The MSO to SFO flight takes approximately 2h 10m, covering 769 miles (668 nautical miles).

Which airlines fly MSO to SFO?

The main airlines operating this route are United, American Airlines, Delta, flying Airbus A320 · Boeing 737 aircraft.

Data Sources

PIREP — Pilot reports (PIREPs) submitted via FAA/ICAO systems, aggregated over 12+ months of historical data
SIGMET / AIRMET — Significant Meteorological Information bulletins from NOAA Aviation Weather Center
EDR data — Eddy Dissipation Rate measurements from commercial aircraft (ADS-B derived turbulence intensity)
Seasonal patterns — 5-year rolling averages of turbulence frequency and intensity by month for this route

Scores represent typical conditions. Actual turbulence varies daily. For real-time forecasts, use the Turbulence Forecast app. · About our data